Season 2, Show 9, on June 20, 2026
By Sylvia Mallory
Photos by B. Jacobsen
New Song wrapped up its second season with an unforgettable finale as singer-songwriters Peter Mulvey and Jenna Nicholls presented their collaborative project, Floyd Mercantile, to an enthusiastic full house. It was one of only two Massachusetts performances launching the venture. Their eponymous album debuted a week earlier.
Floyd Mercantile first took shape in spring 2025 when Mulvey and Nicholls, accompanied by guitarist Ross Bellenoit, traveled to the mountain town of Floyd, Virginia, for five solid days of recording. They set up camp in a rustic wooden building that once housed a general store named Floyd Mercantile. With the musicians’ arrival, the historic space took on a new life as a recording studio, inspiring the project’s name.
The repertoire seamlessly spans music eras. While primarily composed of original songs by Mulvey and Nicholls, the project also infuses fresh energy into tunes from the Great American Songbook. The New Song audience was treated to classics like Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, and William Tracey’s “Them There Eyes” and Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer’s “Skylark.” Nicholls, performing on piano and vocals, was accompanied by Mulvey on guitar to deliver a wistful rendition of the vaudeville standard “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” (Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy). They also energized the room with Duke Ellington’s lively “I’m Beginning to See the Light.”
The duo wove their own original material into their sets. Mulvey showcased “Don’t You Ever Change,” “Your Considerable Charms” (with its earthy speakeasy vibe), “On the Eve of the Inaugural,” “Green and Grey,” and “You Don’t Have to Tell Me.” Nicholls captivated the crowd with her own compositions, performing the cowboy song “No Boots” (with yodeling galore), along with “Dreamers Awake,” “Tie a String,” and “Sunday Drivers,” the latter three tunes dedicated to her 14+ years of married life.
After the close of their two sets, a standing ovation brought the duo back to the stage. Mulvey delivered a moving a cappella rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You” (Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal), and it’s safe to say that there were many misty eyes in the house as he and Nicholls took their last bow of the evening.
New Song is now on summer break. We look forward to launching Season 3 on September 26 with a performance by Mary Fahl, formerly of October Project. We hope to see you then!